Opal J. Peterson

July 16, 2013

SHERBURN - Private graveside services for Opal J. Peterson, 90, of Sherburn, Minn., will be held at a later date at the Welcome City Cemetery, Welcome, Minn.

Opal died Thursday morning, July 11, 2013, at Temperance Lake Ridge Assisted Living in Sherburn, Minn. Messages of sympathy can be sent online to the family at www.kramerfuneralhome.com

Opal Joyce Elfert was born Oct. 3, 1922, in Fairmont, Minn., to Arno L. and Anna M. (Gratz) Elfert. She was raised in Fairmont, and educated in area schools. Opal was united in marriage to Sylvester "Speed" Peterson on July 25, 1939, in Forest City, Iowa. They made their home in Fairmont and then moved to Austin, Minn. They had three children:?James, Barbara and David. Opal was a homemaker as well as being employed as a housekeeper for a private family for many years. She also worked as a clerk in several grocery stores. During her years in Austin, she bowled on different leagues and served as a league secretary. After retiring, Opal and Speed moved to Fox Lake in 1982 where they maintained a residence on the east side of the lake for many years. While living there, she loved to swim, fish, boat and entertain friends. Later she moved into Welcome, Minn., and then to Temperance Lake Ridge Assisted Living in 2010. Opal greatly enjoyed collecting teddy bears and had a large assortment of them; she also liked to work crossword puzzles, knit, crochet, watch television, especially "Law and Order" and "NCIS," but her greatest joy was spending time with her family.

Those left to cherish her memory include: daughter, Barbara Peterson of Sherburn, Minn.; son, David Peterson of Welcome, Minn.; grandson, Steven Peterson of Minneapolis, Minn.; four great-grandchildren; special niece, Marsha (King) Larson of Tucson, Ariz.; nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Opal was preceded in death by her parents; husband "Speed" in 2000; son, James in 2012; grandson, Michael Peterson in 2004; sister and brother-in-law, Hazel and Russell King; and numerous relatives and friends.